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Bryan G Nelson
ParticipantHow frustrating to not get interviews and to be falsely accused.
It is a tight job market right now in many states. Particularly if you don’t have unique skills in areas of high need (e.g. math, science or special needs). And in some states there is underemployment for teachers so there are others with more experience.
As for being careful – yes – especially if you are a substitute – but – even other places it’s important to be thoughtful about how people will respond. From my experience – it’s really important for parents to know me well. They have been my best defenders against problems.
Good luck in your continued job search.
ParticipantI’m certainly glad Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, Jr., and now Barack Obama did not give up.
Besides, I’m having too much fun spending time with children to give up on them and their future.
BG
ParticipantHi, Palmharbor,
Thanks for posting your comment. However, you must not have read through the forum before you posted you comment:
“Unfortunately this forum is afraid to address this issue.”
https://www.menteach.org/forum/tough_market
Also – do a search and you’ll find more about the challenges and discrimination some men face. Not all – but – some.
Good luck.
January 27, 2009 at 6:17 am in reply to: Started classes to get MASTERS IN ELEMENTARY ED and was very happy to see many other men in my class #7520ParticipantCongrats on starting your Masters in Elementary Education.
And thanks for the information.
During the Depression in 1930s there was an increase in men teacher. In addition, after World War II, because of the GI Bill (money to attend school for soldiers), there was a huge increase – from 14% to almost 45%.
With both the bad economy and soldiers coming back from war – I believe we are going to see a major influx of men to teacher.
What does everyone else think?
ParticipantIn my research report – I have data going back to mid-1800s about percentage of male teachers. The numbers started decreasing because of the changes in demographics of women:
1) Delayed marriage;
2) Delaybed childbirth;
3) Increased education for middle class women.The Importance of Male Teachers
The percentages had a small increase during World War I and then again during the Great Depression. We saw a significant increase after World War II with the return of veterans and the GI Bill funding soldiers education.
You can find the source data in the Educational Statistical Abstracts. The books aren’t easy to find – I was able to access them during my graduate work at Harvard University in the basement of their library.
Bryan
ParticipantThere are links on MenTeach that answer that question:
Find and Keep a Job as a Teacher
And then go to Teacher World.
At some point you’ll need to talk to each Department of Education at the state you are interested. It can be a very tedious process – don’t give up – it’ll be worth it.
Keep in touch and let us know what you figure out.
Bryan
October 22, 2008 at 10:04 pm in reply to: Teaching with a Bachelors Degree and 30 years military and private sector experience #7906ParticipantThat’s great that you have so much experience.
If you go to the RESOURCES section of MenTeach you’ll find a lot of great resources.
For example, alternative certification or since you mention the military, then Troops to Teachers.
Good luck!
Bryan
ParticipantHow frustrating!
Yes, there is definitely a shortage of male teachers.
And, yes, men sometimes do not get interviews. In some regions, there have been massive layoffs because of the decreasing enrollment and population of children. It really makes it a difficult time for teachers.
Here’s something I wrote in response to another man’s request for help:
Teacher Shortage or Teacher Turnover
Be certain to look at some readers’ comments.
Good luck and do keep in touch!
ParticipantFirst, I would find a friend who is already a teacher and visit their classroom to see what it looks like on the job. Is it what you want to do? Do you know what subject you want?
Second, go through the Resources section of MenTeach to see the various options of becoming a teacher. Pick a program that works for you.
Third, decide which subject most interest you AND what is the market like where you live. Are there teacher jobs available in your city? Will you need to move?
Those suggestions should be a good start. It will be challenging although every man who has taught can attest that there are many rewards.
Good luck and we look forward to you joining the profession.
ParticipantFirst, how frustrating trying to find a job teaching.
I hope we’ll hear that you have a success in Oregoion with finding a fulltime teaching job.
As for who MenTeach.org serves: We tend to focus on Early education because that is where the greatest disparity is for men teaching. Look at the percentages if male teachers:
It only makes sense to put the most resources towards the greatest need. If we end up with more male teachers at the youngest ages, then we are likely to get them for the older grades.
What do you think?
ParticipantThanks for leaving a message on the MenTeach forum.
There are many options to consider. You can look in the Resources section of MenTeach to answer many of those questions.
One good program for career changes is The New Teacher Project.
ParticipantThanks for writing Scott!
And congrats on your award – I’m sure it’s well earned.
And thanks for advocating for more male teachers. Would you be willing to write something for MenTeach – it’d be great to have your perspective.
ParticipantThere are several men that have contacted MenTeach.org from Georgia that work in a variety of education settings.
I’ll send you their names so that you can follow-up.
ParticipantGreat to have your posting!
There are so many interesting men in teaching and men going into teaching. There are men who were police officers, Marines, World Bank attorneys, construction workers, artists, doctors and cooks and now there’s you, a successful businessman coming from Real Estate.
The children are the one’s who really will benefit from your and other men’s participation.
Again – thanks for your posting to help challenge people’s misconception about men and teaching.
Bryan
ParticipantThanks Jason for your posting.
It’s always so hopeful to hear about a man working with children – especially infants. Men can fly to the moon, do complicated surgery, be coaches or therapists – yet – some believe that men aren’t capable of caring and nurturing babies.
I hope you’ll post weekly or monthly updates.
Besides working as a teacher from birth through college – I also was a Manny in Moscow, USSR to two different US Embassy families. I found it challenging and very rewarding!
Good luck!
Bryan
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